Walk funds to fight cancer

BLAIR KAPLAN

On Sunday, Sept. 13, more than 600 people gathered together in the fight against ovarian cancer, at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, in Vancouver. The sun shined as 75 volunteers gathered to usher in the fourth annual Winners Walk of Hope.

Led by co-chairs Diane MacCormack and Dorothy Brass, the team of volunteers helped lead the day with a very successful turn out of participants and fundraisers, including both the top fundraising team, Alix's Army, which raised $54,892, and the top individual fundraiser in Canada, Wendy Reifel, who raised $18,555.

After the hour and 15 minute walk, participants gathered for speeches and awards. MacCormack and Brass greeted the walkers and thanked the committee and the sponsors, both local and national, including Winners, the national title sponsor; Electrolux, national presenting sponsor; HomeSense and KPMG, national host sponsors; U Weight Loss Clinic and Blue Cross, national premier sponsors; and Chatelaine, national magazine sponsor. Local sponsors included VanDusen Botanical Gardens and Brinks, among others.

Ovarian Cancer Canada's ambassador, Melanie Gaertner, also spoke. Gaertner is the national fund development manager from the Toronto office. Winners representative Debra Sikorski received a bouquet of sunflowers.

Other guest speakers included Dr. Hedy Fry, MP, Vancouver Central, who spoke about the importance of education and building awareness of ovarian cancer, and Bev Gowe, who is an 18-year survivor of ovarian cancer.

Both of these women also received bouquets of sunflowers. Altogether, Vancouver's Winners Walk of Hope raised $115,000 and across Canada, $2.1 million was raised. Next year, the Winners Walk of Hope will take place on Sept. 12.

Blair Kaplan is a freelance journalist from Vancouver who has a diverse background in communications. For more information, visit blairkaplan.ca.

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